I'll finally put people out of their misery – this is the chapter where we find out who the father is! Terribly soppy though. ENJOY!

Chapter 9 – When it All Falls Apart

Harry looked around as the floo fire fizzled out around him. Ginny wasn't there but he could hear a soft snuffling sound. Harry felt anger charge through him as he realised that Percy must've made her cry. After a few moments of looking he found her curled up next to Elle's bed, holding one of her daughter's stuffed animals and staring into space trying to stop the tears from running down her face. Harry crouched in front of her and her gaze shifted to his face.

"I'm sure he didn't mean it." He lied, wiping her tears away. "He shouldn't have said that. I hate to think what the rest of your brothers are doing to him for making you leave."

"I'm not crying because it was Percy that said it. I would have just hit him if it was." She paused and clutched the toy she was holding closer to her. "Why did he have to say that in particular?"

"I don't know."

"Why did he have to say the one thing that I kept calling myself all through my pregnancy?"

"You shouldn't have called yourself that because it's not true." Harry told her firmly.

"I was stupid. Not only was I seeing you secretly I ran away when I didn't get my way and I didn't even come back when I knew what was wrong with me."

"Ginny, what are you talking about?"

"Didn't you even think that Elle might be yours?"

"Mine?"

"You're the only person I've ever been with, of course she's yours."

"But she's two and you were away three years."

"She's almost three." Ginny said blankly.

"Why didn't you come back then? Why did you let me think you'd been with someone else?"

"Because I was scared Harry, and I was too proud to admit how stupid I had been! If I had come back it would have forced our relationship into the open when you'd made it clear that you weren't ready." She shouted, "I was scared you'd make me get rid of her or you wouldn't stay with me. So I stayed away. I hoped that if I ever came back I could make it seem like I'd just had a fling with a meaningless guy." The pair was silent for a while with Harry trying to work out what exactly had just happened. Realising what this meant he kissed Ginny forcefully on the lips. Suddenly very happy he started to laugh at the shocked expression on Ginny's face.

"It's kind of funny how much time we could have saved if I hadn't been so stupid." He chuckled. "How come you're telling me this now? I thought you'd wait until Elle knew."

"She does. Why do you think I was so happy this morning? She said her first words "Harry daddy?" I told her to keep quiet for a little while longer."

"You weren't going to tell me."

"Forgive me for being scared Harry but you could have rejected me. I couldn't have taken it after beginning to hope that we might be together again."

"I'm not about to reject you Ginny. I'm in love with you. I have been since I was sixteen." He lifted her up and carried her to her room.

"You're beautiful." Harry murmured a few hours later stroking the side of Ginny's face.

"We should really get up and go get Elle." Ginny chuckled softly, her eyes still closed as she lay against Harry. Yawning she got up only to be pulled back down to Harry. He kissed her neck before handing her a beautiful ring.

"Marry me?"

"Yes"

So how did you like it? I'll make a sequel if I get enough reviews. Review please!